"The place to be when inspirations strikes is at the easel with brush in hand"

There is great value in taking the time for prep drawings. It takes the original reference photo or photos and transforms those imput ideas into shorthand for the painting. This new image is now in the handwriting of the artist. I find that when I start the painting I am drawn to the prep drawing first. The photo reference becomes anatomical detail that brings a measure of truth into the painting. The magic is in the drawing. And if I've done my job well, that is translated into paint on canvas.